El barrio, My Abuelita and Diego

Join a young boy as he explores his vibrant neighborhood. The city shimmers with life?at once a party, a waltz, and a heartbeat. El Barrio is his sister preparing for her quinceañera, his grandfather singing about the past, and his cousins? stories from other lands. The city is alive with the rhythms of the street.

Told in lyrical language and through bold, colorful illustrations, this celebration of Hispanic culture and urban life is sure to fire children?s curiosity about where they live and what they can discover in their own neighborhoods.

DEBBI CHOCOLATE is the author of more than twenty picture books, including The Piano Man, which received the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award, and Talk, Talk: An Ashanti Legend, winner of the Parents? Choice Award. She lives outside Chicago with her family.

DAVID DIAZ has illustrated more than thirty books, including Smoky Night, for which he was awarded the Caldecott Medal, and Margaret Wise Brown?s The Little Scarecrow Boy, which was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. He lives in Southern California.

Abuelita’s hair is the color of salt. Her face is as crinkled as a dried chile. She booms out words as wild as blossoms blooming. She stuffs her carcacha—her jalopy—with all the things she needs: a plumed snake, a castle, a skeleton, and more. Her grandson knows he has the most amazing grandmother ever—with a very important job. What does Abuelita do? With her booming voice and wonderful props, Abuelita is a storyteller. Next to being a grandmother, that may be the most important job of all.

Sprinkled with Spanish and infused with love, My Abuelita is a glorious celebration of family, imagination, and the power of story.

TONY JOHNSTON's many acclaimed picture books include The Worm Family illustrated by Stacy Innerst and That Summer illustrated by Barry Moser. Any Small Goodness, her first novel for young readers, was named the 2002 SCBA Book of the Year. She lives in San Marino, California.

YUYI MORALES is an award-winning children's book illustrator. Her breakout picture book was Harvesting Hope by Kathleen Krull, which was named a Pura Belpré Honor Book. Yuyi lives in Pleasant Hill, California.

Carmen T. Bernier-Grand’s inspiring free verse and David Diaz’s vivid paintings capture the defining moments and emotions of Rivera’s tumultuous life, including his stormy relationship with artist Frida Kahlo and his passion for his art. Rivera’s energy, physique, love for women, and work were all "bigger than life." A biography, chronology, glossary, sources, notes, and famous quotations are included.